Bluewater Productions has released a new comic book chronicling the life of Charles Manson. Beyond: Charles Manson is available in print and digital formats. This installment of the Beyond series, which also includes titles about Edward Snowden and The Joker, is 24 pages and explores the story behind the media sensation.

Dynamite Entertainment will introduce a new chapter in John Carter: Warlord of Mars, to be written by Ron Marz. Illustrated by Abhishek Malsuni, John Carter: Warlord of Mars is the newly-minted cornerstone of the publisher’s Warlord of Mars line, launched in the wake of its May announcement of the comprehensive licensing agreement between Dynamite and Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars welcomes science fiction and fantasy fans to the exotic landscape of Barsoom, where displaced earthling John Carter has to save his adopted world and his beloved Dejah Thoris from an enemy.

Dynamite’s John Carter: Warlord of Mars comes on the heels of the reacquisition of comic book rights by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. that had been held by Walt Disney Pictures and its Marvel Entertainment subsidiary, as well as a recent legal settlement with Dynamite that cleared the way for Dynamite to introduce key characters and plot elements from the John Carter back story that were absent from recent comic book interpretations.

John Carter: Warlord of Mars no. 1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors‘ September Previews catalog and is slated for release in November. John Carter: Warlord of Mars will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

A new licensing agreement between the Eisner Estate and Dynamite Entertainment will see Eisner’s The Spirit make its way onto Dynamite’s roster in time for its 75th anniversary.

The Spirit, which is a fictional character named Denny Colt, was mysteriously brought back to life to fight crime after he was murdered. The character joins a lineup of heros on Dynamite’s roster, including Flash Gordon, The Shadow, and The Green Hornet.

Lion Forge Comics has partnered with IDW Publishing to introduce its digital comics library into the print comics market.

Lion Forge kicks off its print collection with two of its notable licensed titles, Airwolf and Knight Rider, based on the classic NBC Universal TV series. The publisher also will release its original series, Rampage Jackson: Street Soldier, inspired by MMA fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Lion Forge and IDW will publish and distribute print trades of Lion Forge’s other original and licensed collections as well, including titles from their all-ages and young adult imprint, ROAR Comics, as current digital versions are completed.

Fans eagerly await the big screen return of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello. Not the Italian master painters, but the pizza-scarfing, reptilian wise-crackers who have delighted young audiences since the early ’80s. Although the characters were originally created by comic artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird as a parody of comic franchises that were popular at the time, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) soon took on a life of their own, spawning multiple TV programs, video games, films, and, of course, toys.

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding the forthcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. And although we’ll have to wait until August for the film’s premiere, there’s a whole slew of new products to hold our interest until then.

One of the more interesting new products is C-Preme Limited’s TMNT bicycle helmets, with four unique designs, each modeled after one of the turtles as they appear in more modern cartoon programs. They are somewhat similar to the bike helmets produced by Mirge Studios in 1991, though the design on the old helmets is more similar aesthetically to the way the characters appeared in the ’80s cartoon show. Read the rest of this entry »

Licensees and retailers are preparing for high fan demand for merchandise inspired by Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy in anticipation of the upcoming movie. Retailers have developed a wide range of product lines with over 50 licensees that are attracting strong placement and pre-sales across mass, mid-tier, specialty, and online retail channels. Products are set to start launching in mid-June. In addition, Marvel Studio’s marketing for the merchandising program will hit full force beginning in late-June.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is an action-packed, space adventure where adventurer Peter Quill is the center of a bounty hunt after he stole a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions to threaten the universe. Quill forms a truce with Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, and Drax to evade Ronan and must participate in a final showdown to restore balance in the galaxy.

The upcoming movie is unique to any others in the Marvel franchise, which had made it appealing to manufacturers and consumers. Rocket Raccoon will distinguish himself as a breakout character, which has made him popular for licensees to keep up with the anticipated demand for Rocket inspired products. In addition, Star-Lord’s obsession with the 80’s has created a platform for a wide range of 80’s nostalgia apparel and accessories. Manufacturers are also focusing on Drax and Gamora, who have become popular with male and female demographics.

WBCP brings Batman to life this Easter season with large and medium-sized Batman Easter baskets containing sweet treats, toys, and more from MegaToys. The large sized baskets are available at Family Dollar and grocery stores nationwide, and the medium sized baskets are available at Wal-Mart.

The Mystery Machine revs up this Easter with assorted Scooby Doo Easter baskets containing candies, toys, and other products, available at Kmart and grocery stores nationwide. Also available this spring is a 21-inch Scooby-Doo Easter porch greeter wearing a bunny costume.

Large Superman Deluxe Easter baskets by MegaToys are available at Meijer, Kmart, and grocery stores nationwide. The supercharged Easter basket includes a variety of seasonal toys and candy.

Each DC Comics Bombshell will be rendered on a museum quality art print. QMx expects to release the first prints in Q2 of this year at QMx-authorized comic, collector, and specialty retail outlets around the country as well as for purchase directly through the QMx website.

Lion Forge Comics has launched two new digital comic books based on the 1980s and 90s TV shows Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster under the company’s newly created ROAR Comics. The digital publisher acquired the licensing rights to the properties from NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products last year.

The Saved by the Bell comics will return all of the original Bayside High Characters to freshman year in present-day adventures. Punky Brewster takes the homeless young girl back to the beginning of her story and follows her adventures until she finds a new home. Saved by the Bellis celebrating its 25th anniversary and Punky Brewster is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The comics are currently available at the Amazon Kindle Bookstore. They will also be sold in the coming weeks in additional outlets, including ComicsPlus.

ROAR Comics is Lion Forge’s new digital imprint focused on publishing high quality, all-ages comics for a digital audience. The company will concentrate on comics for children and teens.